July 7th

July 7th

1940 Ringo Starr is born.

Born Richard Starkey in Liverpool, he’s one of the all-time great drummers and an integral (and affable) part of The Beatles success.

1984 Bruce Springsteen’s “Born In The U.S.A.” is #1 on the Billboard 200.

The set features the title track, “Glory Days” and “Dancing In The Dark.” 

1986 David Lee Roth releases “Eat ‘Em And Smile.” 

The ex-Van Halen singer’s debut solo set sells over 2-million copies in the U.S. 

2007 Bon Jovi’s “Lost Highway” drives straight to the #1 on the Billboard 200.

It moves 288,000 copies in its debut week, well ahead of the White Stripes “Icky Thump,” which sells 223,000 units to land at #2.

2017 Stone Sour’s “Hydrograd” debuts at #8 on the Billboard 200.

It’s their 5^th straight Top 10 effort.  It’s also #1 on the Top Rock and the Top Hard Rock charts. 

2023 Iron Maiden receive a gold disc for “Senjutsu.”

After selling over 100,000 physical copies in the U.K., the presentation is made during the first of two sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena. 

The album peaks at #3 on the U.S. Billboard 200.

MORE TODAY IN ROCK…

1968 The Yardbirds play their final show.  They perform at the Luton Technical College in Bedfordshire, England. The New Yardbirds, with guitarist Jimmy Page, roll out a short time later to fulfill some concert obligations. The New Yardbirds morph into Led Zeppelin (who coincidentally, also play their final concert on this date twelve years later – see below).

1973 Billy Preston’s “Will It Go Round In Circles” is #1.

1980 Led Zeppelin’s final concert with their original line-up is at Eissporthalle in Berlin.

1981 Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates is born with the name Brian Elwin Haner Jr.  

2006 Former Pink Floyd leader Syd Barrett passes away at age 60 following a long battle with diabetes. The singer-guitarist was a founding member and wrote the majority the group’s ’67 full-length debut, “The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn.” He left Floyd the following year after suffering a drug-induced mental breakdown. “Syd was the guiding light of the early band lineup and leaves a legacy which continues to inspire,” reads a statement from the group.

2007 The Smashing Pumpkins, Bon Jovi, KoЯn, The Police and ex-Pink Floyd leader Roger Waters perform in East Rutherford, NJ at the U.S. edition of the Live Earth concert series. The London line-up has Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, Gensis and Metallica. The international concerts, co-organized by former vice president Al Gore, raise awareness about global climate change. The concerts are on the 7th day of the 7th month and take place in 7 cities.

2007 “I Don’t Wanna Stop” is Ozzy Osbourne’s first #1 on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks. The song ends an eight-week run by Linkin Park’s “What I’ve Done.”

2008 Jon Bon Jovi’s Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, the Saturn car company and Detroit’s branch of Habitat for Humanity announces the construction of the first of five Detroit area low-income homes. Bon Jovi calls the construction “dreams in the making.”

2012 Dave Grohl’s hometown of Warren, OH present their favorite son with two 900-pound drumsticks during a Foo Fighters concert at the Warren Amphitheater. The poplar drumsticks are initially housed at the theater before being moved to the city’s Dave Grohl Alley. The sticks are also listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.

2018 Panic! At The Disco earns its second #1 on the Billboard 200 with “Pray For The Wicked” (‘16’s “Death Of A Bachelor” was the first). 

2018 Ghost is #1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Songs airplay chart with “Rats.”   

2022 The Pretty Reckless announce the cancelation of three concerts on its co-headlining tour with Halestorm after singer Taylor Momsen tests positive for COVID-19. “Despite our best efforts, COVID finally bit,” reads the band’s statement. 

2025 Drummer Matt Cameron exits Pearl Jam. “After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam. Much love and respect to Jeff, Ed, Mike and Stone for inviting me into the band in 1998.”

2025 Spiritbox make their late-night television debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where they perform “Soft Spine.”